Dental hygiene unit

ABSTRACT

An inclusive dental hygiene unit adapted to be carried on one&#39;&#39;s person. Within the compact case is a toothbrush and a replaceable disposable dispenser of paste dentifrice. A sliding action of the case end deposits a measured amount of the dentifrice upon the bristles of the toothbrush and simultaneously ejects the upper portion of the brush into usable position.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Daniel W. Fox

2108 West Northview Ave., Phoenix, Ariz. 85021 [21] Appl. No. 861,438[22] Filed Sept. 26, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 19, 1971 [54] DENTALHYGIENE UNIT 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 132/84 [51] Int. Cl .t A4511 44/18 [50] Field of Search132/84, 84.2,84.4;206/15.1;401/111,107,119,127,138, 150, 169, 176;222/191; 15/137, 531

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,207,121 12/1916 Zeidler401/150 1,420,581 6/1922 Schoneman 132/842 2,000,910 5/1935 Appelet al.15/137 2,284,217 5/1942 Lieberthal 132/84 3,118,166 1/1969 Bell 15/531Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerGreg0ry E. McNeil!Att0rneys-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: Aninclusive dental hygiene unit adapted to be carried on ones person.Within the compact case is a toothbrush and a replaceable disposabledispenser of paste dentifrice. A sliding action of the case end depositsa measured amount of the dentifrice upon the bristles of the toothbrushand simultaneously ejects the upper portion of the brush into usableposition.

DENTAL HYGIENE UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to the art and science of dentistry.

More particularly, the invention concerns a device to facilitate properdental hygiene.

In a further aspect, the invention concerns a personal dental hygieneunit adapted to be carried upon one s person.

The enlightened society, in response to the frequent remonstrations ofthe dental association, are extremely conscious of the importance ofproper dental hygiene. Acceptable practice dictates that a personbrushes his teeth after each meal. This requires that he carry thenecessary implements and supplies on abbreviated or extended journeysand during his daily sojourns into the work, business, or socialcommunity.

Generally, extended journeys pose little problem as the toothbrush andcontainer of dentifrice may be packed with other personal items.Nevertheless, they are not usually within convenient access during thetrip and there is always the possibility of dentifrice leakage, as froma ruptured toothpaste tube, to besmear and taint adjacent personaleffects and clothing. During a person s daily routine, it is extremelyinconvenient, if not impossible, to carry a toothbrush and container ofdentifrice on his person.- Carrying space within ones clothing islimited and, of course, there is always the possibility of rupturing atoothpaste tube within the pocket. 7

Prior art devices have been proposed to alleviate the foregoingdifficulties and provide portability to the dental hygiene package. Onesuch device offers a case in which to house a folding toothbrush andtube of toothpaste. While supplying the necessities, this device demandsthe brush and dentifrice be separate and in an ungainly container notconducive to pocket storage. Other prior art devices known as fountaintype brushes are extremely compact and store the dentifrice within thehandle of the toothbrush. However, there is an inherent limitation onthe type of dentifrice compatible with the system design, and during usethe dentifrice is delivered to the base of the bristles where it issufficiently ineffectual to question the effectiveness of the brushingprocess.

Consequently, due to the inconvenience and deficiencies of presentportable dental hygiene devices, brushing after each meal remains asonly an admonition of the dental association except for those at homeduring mealtime.

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to provide a convenientlystowable and usable unit for effective dental hygiene.

SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTlON Accordingly, it is a primary object of thepresent invention to provide a personal dental hygiene unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact portabledental hygiene unit adapted to be carried on ones person.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a dentalhygiene unit having a self-contained dentifrice which is automaticallydispensed in a measured amount into proper position upon the bristles ofthe toothbrush prior to use.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of adental hygiene unit of the above type in which the depleted supply ofdentifrice may be quickly and conveniently replenished.

Yet a still further object of the present invention is to provide adental hygiene unit of the above type having esthetic value,practicality, and yet be relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

In order to accomplish the desired objectives of my present invention,in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, I first provide agenerally rectangular elongate housing or case, having a frontal endopening and a rearward end opening. A first longitudinal cavity extendsbetween the frontal opening and the rearward opening proximate one sideof the case with an upwardly directed enlargement near the frontal endthereof. A second cavity substantially parallel to the first cavityextends inwardly from the rearward opening of the case substantiallyparallel to the first cavity for a proportionate length of the case. Aremovable end cap encompasses the rearward end of the case and isslidable along a portion thereof.

Next I provide a toothbrush having a stem slidable within the firstcavity and a bristle section containable within the enlargement of saidfirst cavity. A generally elongate replaceable dentifrice container, ofthe disposable type, having a frontal end and a rearward end and alongitudinal central conduit extending therebetween, is housed withinthe second cavity. The rearward end of the dentifrice container issealed by an end plate slidable within the walls of the container andhaving a central opening to permit passage of the conduit. The frontalend of the container is sealed by a recessed end plate containing a pairof ball check valves to permit passage of the dentifrice from withininto the recess which is sealingly engaged at its perimeter to theforward end of the second cavity.

A conduit within the housing communicates between the forward wall ofthe second cavity and the upper frontal area of the enlargement ofthe-first cavity. A ball check valve within this conduit, and a flappervalve at its terminus, permit fluidic flow from the second cavity to thefirst cavity. The terminus of the conduit and the flapper valveconnected thereto are positioned over the top of the forward edge of thebristles of the toothbrush when said brush is fully encased within thefirst cavity.

A plunger operatable within the conduit of the dentifrice container andterminating near the frontal end thereof is secured at its rearwardmostportion to the base of the end cap. A foraminous door slidable withinopposed grooved tracks provides a closure for the frontal opening of thecase. The stem end of the toothbrush has a downwardly biased spring legnormally housed within the case and cap.

In operation, first the sliding door is pushed upwardly and rearwardlyto expose the frontal enlargement of the first cavity. Then the end capis withdrawn t0 the rear where it is retained from separation of thecase by a small detent. During this operation, as the plunger iswithdrawn within the dentifrice conduit, a void is closed within therecessed end of the dentifrice container. The dentifrice, normallytoothpaste, urges the ball check valves open and passes into the recess.As the paste is withdrawn from the container, the sliding end plateadvances forwardly a corresponding distance. Concurrently, the end caphas passed beyond the end of the stem of the toothbrush permitting thedownwardly biased spring leg thereof to relax into an interferenceposition with the leading edge of the end cap.

As the cap is pushed forwardly, the plunger exerts force within thedentifrice container conduit. The resultant back pressure closes thecontainer check valves prohibiting return of the paste to the containerand opening the check valve within the housing conduit. The paste passesthrough the housing conduit and is expelled into the flapper valve atthe terminus thereof. Simultaneously, with the immediately foregoingdescribed action, the leading edge of the end cap slides the toothbrushforward within the first cavity. The length of the stroke of the end capis coincident with the length of the bristle section of the toothbrush.Toothpaste is therefore expelled from the terminus of the conduit duringthe time the upper portion of the bristles are passing thereunder andsubsequently a layer of toothpaste is deposited substantially from oneend of the bristle end of the toothbrush to the other.

The end cap is now in its forwardmost position and the bristle sectionand associated stem portion of the toothbrush are in a position ejectedfrom the forward end of the case. A simple thumb index finger grip isnow employed to eject the toothbrush its total working length. A springdetent within the housing engages a notch within the toothbrush stem toprevent total extraction of the toothbrush from the case. The slopingforward face of the spring leg of the toothbrush stem earns the legupwardly within the first cavity.

After use the toothbrush bristle section is rinsed in the normal mannerand finger pressure upon the forward edge of the toothbrush retractssame to total enclosure within the case. During the return of thetoothbrush, the end cap is not disturbed. The frontal sliding door isthen closed to prevent inclusion of dirt into the cavity and thetoothbrush bristles, however, the foraminous portion of the door permitspassage of air to dry the bristles and prevent contamination.

To replace dentifrice containers, the end cap is completely removed byextra force to override its detent. The expended container is withdrawnrearwardly from the second cavity and disposed of. A new container isinserted, recessed end first, into the cavity into the end cap replacedwhile urging gently upward on the spring leg of the stem of thetoothbrush, to prevent accidental ejection of same. The dental hygieneunit is now ready for use as heretofore operationally described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The previously stated objects andfurther and more specific objects and advantages of the invention willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdetailed description of a presently preferred embodiment thereof takenin conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view chosen for purposes of illustrating adental hygiene unit constructed embodying the present invention as itwould appear in condition for carrying upon ones person;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the frontal portion of thedental hygiene unit with the toothbrush extracted in the usableposition;

FIG. 3 is a rear three-quarter perspective view of the device of FIG. 1with the end cap thereof removed and particularly illustrating thereplaceable disposable dentifrice container;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view in section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1and especially detailing the operative elements of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 is an elevational view in section corresponding to FIG. 4 duringan operative stage of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to thedrawings in which the same reference character indicates correspondingelements throughout the several views, FIG. I is a perspective view of adental hygiene unit constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention and shows the substantially rectangular elongatehousing or case generally designated by the reference numeral and havinga removable end cap 1 l encompassing the rearward end thereof. Aflexible door 12 having openings therein disposed in grooves 13 providesa closure for the frontal end of the case 10. A spring metal clip 14 onone side of the case 10 accommodates the case when carried within thepocket.

FIGS. 2 and 5 show the door 12 in the open position to permit ejectionof the toothbrush 17. It is noted in FIG. 2 that the bristle section 18of the toothbrush 17 contains a layer of dentifrice l9 having beendeposited simultaneously with the ejection of the toothbrush.

FIG. 3 illustrates the end cap 11 having been removed from the case 10to permit insertion or exchange of the cartridgetype dentifricecontainer 20. Elongate openings 21 disposed on opposed sides of therearward end of the case 10 permit gripping the container for removalfrom the case. The significance of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 will become readilyapparent when viewed in conjunction with the following figureshereinafter described in greater detail.

FIG. 4 specifically details the operative elements of the device of FIG.I when in the closed or carrying position. The stem 22 of the toothbrushI7 is slidably encased within a first cavity 23 of the case 10. Anupwardly extending enlargement 24 of the cavity 23 provides a housingfor the bristle section 18 of the toothbrush 17. A downwardly biasedspring leg 27 integral with the rearward end of the stem 22 of thetoothbrush 17 is normally housed within the end cap 11. It isparticularly noted that the interior surface of the end cap 11 forms anunbroken continuation of the end cavity 23 thus allowing the spring leg27 to freely pass from the cavity 23 into the end cap 11 during theretraction phase. A second cavity 28 houses the dentifrice container 20within the case 10. A front end plate 29 having a recess 30 forms thefront cover for the dentifrice container 20 and sealingly engages thefrontal wall 31 of the cavity 28 when the dentifrice container is fullyinserted. Ball check valves 32 located within the front end plate 29control flow of the dentifrice from the container 20. An axial conduit33 subtends the length of the container 20. An end plate 34, sealinglyengaged within periphery wall 37 of the container 20 and around theconduit 33 of the container 20, and slidable therewith, forms therearward end cover for said container.

A detent 38 integral with the end cap 11 engages a notch 39 within theouter wall of the case 10 to retain the end cap II in the closedposition. A second notch 40 interacts with the dctent 38 to preventaccidental removal of the end cap 11. A plunger 41 secured at itsrearward end to the inner base of the end cap 11 extends substantiallythrough the conduit 33 and slides within close proximity to the interiorwall thereof.

A second conduit defined by the passage 42 communicates between thefrontal wall 31 of the cavity 28 and the upper frontal area of theforward enlargement 24. A flapper valve 43 is carried at the terminus ofthe passage 42. A ball 44 normally held in the closed position by aspring 47 forms a second ball check valve which serves to controlfluidic flow between the cavity 28 and the enlargement 24 of the cavity23.

FIG. 5 depicts the dental hygiene unit of FIG. 4 and the operativeelements thereof as shown during the initial stages of the ejection ofthe toothbrush. The resilient door 12 has been retracted upwardly andrearwardly within the grooves 13 to expose the front opening of the case10. The end cap 11 is first moved in the direction of the arrow A untilthe detent 38 enters the notch 40. During this operation the forwardedge of the end cap 11 moves past the rearward end of the spring leg 27permitting same to relax downwardly into an interference position withthe edge 48. Simultaneously, as the plunger 41 is withdrawn within theconduit 33, a semivacuum is created therein impelling the ball checkvalves 32 to open permitting flow of the dentifrice 19 into the recess30and partially into the conduit 33. It is particularly noted in thisview that a relative quantity of the dentifrice I9 has been extractedfrom the container 20 and the end plate 34 has moved forward an amountrelative to the displaced dentifrice.

As the end cap is urged forwardly in the direction of the arrow B thereare several coincident interactions. Pressure upon the dentifrice 19within the cavity 30 and the conduit 33 as dictated by the plunger 41seats the check valves 32. Further pressure exerted by the plunger 40acts upon the ball 44 to compress the spring 47 forcing the excessdentifrice 19 into the passage 42. This fluidic flow dislodges theflapper valve 43 and subsequently deposits the dentifrice upon the upperedge of the bristles 18 of the toothbrush 17. Simultaneously, thetoothbrush I7 is urged forwardly by the interaction between the springleg 27 and the forward edge 48 of the end cap 11. As the spring leg 27proceeds forwardly the sloping forward edge of the tang 49 thereofoverrides the edge of the lower wall of the case 10.

The end cap is continuously urged forwardly until the detent 38 engagesthe notch 39. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that thespacing between the notches 39 and 40, thus the limit of the end cap 11,coincides with the length of the bristle section 18, as denoted by thedimension line C. to insure that dentifrice is deposited substantiallyalong the length of the upper edge of the bristle section and flowdiscontinued at the rearward edge thereof.

After the end cap 11 is in the rest or forwardmost position and thebristle section 18 of the toothbrush I7 is ejected beyond the frontalend of the case l0, pressure directly upon the stem 22 extracts thetoothbrush to its forwardmost position as determined by the seconddetent 50 engaging the notch 51. The biased forward edge of the detent50 allows easy retraction of the toothbrush while prohibiting totalextraction thereof.

While no mention in the foregoing detailed description of the presentinvention has been made of the materials employed therein, it is obviousthat numerous media may be used. Due to the action of the detents 38 and50 and the flapper valve 43, a semiresilient material, as for example asynthetic polymer, would facilitate an integrally molded unit. However,the base units could be constructed of a more rigid material havingspring or resilient inserts where mandatory.

Various other changes in the device herein chosen for purposes ofillustration in the drawings will readily occur to persons skilled inthe art having regard to the disclosure hereof.

To the extend that such modifications and variations do not depart fromthe spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within thescope hereof which is not limited to the device specifically illustratedbut rather only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.

Having fully described and disclosed the invention and the preferredembodiment thereof in such clear and concise terms as to enable thoseskilled in the art to understand and practice the same, l claim:

I. In combination, an elongated housing defining a longitudinaltoothbrush-receiving chamber opening outwardly of one end of saidhousing, a toothbrush disposed lengthwise in and extendable andretractable relative to one end of said chamber with the bristle end ofsaid toothbrush disposed for first extension relative to said chamber, apaste reservoir in said housing including an outlet, paste deliverymeans in said housing for conveying paste from said reservoir to thebristle end of said toothbrush and including a passage communicated atone end portion with said outlet and having its other end opening intothe open end portion of said chamber and registered with the firstextended end portion of the bristle end of the toothbrush, paste pumpmeans operatively associated with said reservoir and passage for pumpingpaste from the reservoir through said passage, said pump means includinga single-action pistontype actuator reciprocal longitudinally of saidhousing and movable in one direction during its priming stroke and inthe opposite direction during its pumping stroke, said passage outletend and said bristle end of said toothbrush being supported for relativedisplacement longitudinally of said housing during movement of saidactuator through its pumping stroke with one of said passage outlet andbristle ends supported in stationary position relative to said housingand the other of said ends movable along said housing with saidactuator, whereby as paste is discharged from the outlet end of saidpassage the discharged paste will be spread along said bristle end ofthe toothbrush.

2. In combination, an elongated housing having front and rear ends andincluding side-by-side longitudinal first and second cavities, the frontend of said second cavity terminating a spaced distance from the frontend of said housing and the front end of the first cavity including alateral extension disposed in front of the front end of the secondcavity and opening forwardly through the front end of said housing, saidsecond cavity defining a paste reservoir and having a paste outlet inthe front end thereof, a toothbrush including handle and bristle endsdisposed in said first cavity and extendable and retractable relative tosaid front end of said housing with said bristle end projecting intosaid extension when said brush is retracted relative to said front endof said housing, and paste-conveying means including a reciprocal pumpportion operative to pump paste from said reservoir to a discharge pointopening into the foreward end of said extension at the side thereofremote from the first cavity side of said housing.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said conveying means includespassage means for conveying paste from said reservoir to said dischargepoint.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said housing defines a pressurechamber disposed forward of said first cavity and between the latter andsaid extension, said paste outlet opening into said chamber and havingfirst one-way check valve means operatively associated therewith, apumping chamber communicated with said pressure chamber, a reciprocalpiston member slidable over said pumping chamber, the inlet end of saidpassage means opening into said pressure chamber and second one-waycheck valve means operatively associated with said passage meansoperable to prevent reverse flow of the paste therethrough into saidpressure chamber.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said reciprocal piston member isreciprocal longitudinally of said housing, an actuator for said pistonmember including portions thereof disposed exteriorly of said housingand mounted for reciprocation along the latter and connected to thepiston member, said toothbrush handle end and said actuator includingcoacting means operable to at least initially project the toothbrushfrom the front end of said housing during forward movement of theactuator relative to the housing, the piston member and actuator beingmovable rearwardly along the housing during the priming stroke of saidpiston member and forwardly along said housing during the pumping strokeof said piston member whereby paste will be discharged from the outletend of said passage means at said discharge point as said toothbrush isinitially projected from said front end of said housing.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said toothbrush and housinginclude coacting means operable to yieldingly retain said toothbrushagainst full extension from said front end of said housing.

1. In combination, an elongated housing defining a longitudinaltoothbrush-receiving chamber opening outwardly of one end of saidhousing, a toothbrush disposed lengthwise in and extendable andretractable relative to one end of said chamber with the bristle end ofsaid toothbrush disposed for first extension relative to said chamber, apaste reservoir in said housing including an outlet, paste deliverymeans in said housing for conveying paste from said reservoir to thebristle end of said toothbrush and including a passage communicated atone end portion with said outlet and having its other end opening intothe open end portion of said chamber and registered with the firstextended end portion of the bristle end of the toothbrush, paste pumpmeans operatively associated with said reservoir and passage for pumpingpaste from the reservoir through said passage, said pump means includinga single-action piston-type actuator reciprocal longitudinally of saidhousing and movable in one direction during its priming stroke and inthe opposite direction during its pumping stroke, said passagE outletend and said bristle end of said toothbrush being supported for relativedisplacement longitudinally of said housing during movement of saidactuator through its pumping stroke with one of said passage outlet andbristle ends supported in stationary position relative to said housingand the other of said ends movable along said housing with saidactuator, whereby as paste is discharged from the outlet end of saidpassage the discharged paste will be spread along said bristle end ofthe toothbrush.
 2. In combination, an elongated housing having front andrear ends and including side-by-side longitudinal first and secondcavities, the front end of said second cavity terminating a spaceddistance from the front end of said housing and the front end of thefirst cavity including a lateral extension disposed in front of thefront end of the second cavity and opening forwardly through the frontend of said housing, said second cavity defining a paste reservoir andhaving a paste outlet in the front end thereof, a toothbrush includinghandle and bristle ends disposed in said first cavity and extendable andretractable relative to said front end of said housing with said bristleend projecting into said extension when said brush is retracted relativeto said front end of said housing, and paste-conveying means including areciprocal pump portion operative to pump paste from said reservoir to adischarge point opening into the foreward end of said extension at theside thereof remote from the first cavity side of said housing.
 3. Thecombination of claim 2 wherein said conveying means includes passagemeans for conveying paste from said reservoir to said discharge point.4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said housing defines a pressurechamber disposed forward of said first cavity and between the latter andsaid extension, said paste outlet opening into said chamber and havingfirst one-way check valve means operatively associated therewith, apumping chamber communicated with said pressure chamber, a reciprocalpiston member slidable over said pumping chamber, the inlet end of saidpassage means opening into said pressure chamber and second one-waycheck valve means operatively associated with said passage meansoperable to prevent reverse flow of the paste therethrough into saidpressure chamber.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said reciprocalpiston member is reciprocal longitudinally of said housing, an actuatorfor said piston member including portions thereof disposed exteriorly ofsaid housing and mounted for reciprocation along the latter andconnected to the piston member, said toothbrush handle end and saidactuator including coacting means operable to at least initially projectthe toothbrush from the front end of said housing during forwardmovement of the actuator relative to the housing, the piston member andactuator being movable rearwardly along the housing during the primingstroke of said piston member and forwardly along said housing during thepumping stroke of said piston member whereby paste will be dischargedfrom the outlet end of said passage means at said discharge point assaid toothbrush is initially projected from said front end of saidhousing.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said toothbrush andhousing include coacting means operable to yieldingly retain saidtoothbrush against full extension from said front end of said housing.